Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

Justice Kekemeke issued the warrant after Turaki failed to appear in court for his arraignment on a charge of giving false information to the police, filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

At the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Usman Rabiu, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendant to enter his plea. Rabiu stated that Turaki was absent despite having been served with the charge and a hearing notice notifying him of the day’s proceedings.

He invoked Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, urging the court to issue a warrant of arrest to compel the defendant’s appearance for arraignment.

Rabiu also faulted the reliance by the defence counsel, Mr. Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, on a motion seeking to quash the charge. He argued that the defence could only challenge the validity of the charge after the defendant’s plea had been taken.

In response, Ibrahim urged the court to grant him five days to file written addresses to demonstrate that the defendant’s presence was not required until the motion was determined.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that Turaki’s absence was unjustified, particularly as he had been duly served with both the charge and the hearing notice. The judge observed that the defence did not dispute service of the court processes, nor did it offer any explanation for the defendant’s absence.

Relying on Section 396(2) of the ACJA, 2015, the court held that where a defendant, aware of a pending charge, fails to appear without cause, the appropriate order is the issuance of a bench warrant to ensure the defendant’s production in court.

The judge further ruled that the motion seeking to quash the charge was premature and could only be entertained after the defendant had entered his plea.

Justice Kekemeke subsequently ordered the issuance of a bench warrant to compel Turaki’s appearance in court to answer the charge and adjourned the case until April 22 for his arraignment.